Pain Management

As a board certified anesthesiologist, Dr. Lee also specializes in the management of chronic pain and is able to treat a wide range of conditions that affect the spine including the neck and lower back. Blue Ridge Chronic Pain Center is able to offer pain relief for the following conditions:

Failed back surgery

Bulging disc

Herniated disc

Neck pain

Back pain

Cervicalgia

Cervical Radiculopathy

Lumbar (low) back pain

Radiculopathy

Spinal stenosis

Compression fractures

Facet syndrome

Spondylosis

Disc degeneration

Scar tissue pain

Shingles

Post Laminectomy Syndrome

Neuropathy

Peripheral Nerve Injuries

Sciatica

Arthritis

Auto and work-related injuries

Blue Ridge Chronic Pain Center offers a comprehensive range of services for patients dealing with acute or chronic pain problems. Our focus is to treat the entire patient, addressing each problem that contributes to the patient’s pain and inability to live life to the fullest.

We also care for patients who have chronic RSD/CRPS, and anyone trying to wean themselves off of narcotics.

Anesthesia And Pain Management

When pain interferes with your daily routine and cannot be managed through conservative therapies, Dr. Lee, a board certified anesthesiologist, will determine if you are a good candidate for treatments such as epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, radio frequency ablation, spinal cord stimulation, facet joint injections, lumbar sympathetic plexus blocks and trigger joint injections.

Our goal is to help you decrease your level of pain and suffering, to return you to your maximum level of functioning and independence, and to help you restore your quality of life.

About Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation is a type of electrical nerve stimulation which disrupts the nerve impulses that make a person feel pain, providing pain relief to the patient.

Spinal cord stimulation is used to bring relief to patients that are suffering from severe chronic pain due to failed back surgery, unidentified nerve pain, spinal stenosis pain, fibromyalgia, phantom pain and even the nerve pain associated with paraplegia. Once the device is inserted and tested, the patient controls the strength of the electrical stimulation for at-home therapy sessions, reducing the amount of time spent in the office for pain relief.

If Dr. Lee thinks spinal cord stimulation will work for you, he will insert a temporary electrode into the spinal cord area for a 7 day trial in order to determine if a spinal cord stimulator is a solution for your ongoing pain. After conducting a successful trial, Dr. Lee will refer you for a surgical consultation with a neurosurgeon for possible permanent insertion of the spinal cord stimulator. This will allow you to control your pain independently and you should be able to resume your desired lifestyle.

About Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency ablation, also known as RFA, is a minimally invasive pain management technique that uses electrical current to target the pain receptors in a person’s body. After testing to verify the appropriate location, the current is directed towards specific nerve tissue in the affected area. The nerve is ablated, thereby decreasing the pain. Radiofrequency ablation can be used for both chronic low-back and neck pain and pain related to the degeneration of joints from arthritis. In the majority of cases, radiofrequency ablation provides great relief from chronic pain and its effects can last for as long as six months to two years. It’s effectiveness depends on the location and frequency of the pain.

Dr. Lee will meet with you to explain the radiofrequency ablation and answer any questions you may have about the treatment. If radiofrequency ablation is the right treatment for your chronic pain condition, Dr. Lee will place a microelectrode into the affected area and will stimulate the nerves. The procedure takes place on an outpatient basis, under local anesthesia.

50%

50% of adults have at least one chronic health condition

25%

25% of adults have two or more chronic health conditions

86%

86% of all healthcare costs are related to chronic diseases

Relieving Pain, Restoring Function, Renewing Hope

At Blue Ridge Chronic Pain Center, we partner with you to make the steady transition from illness to wellness.